Still the most popular streaming service in the world, Netflix has grown so large that it now produces original shows and movies. The output keeps increasing, and with it, the quality shifts, with Oscar-nominated masterpieces like The Irishman and awful disasters like The Ridiculous 6. Netflix has also shifted toward the anime scene and has gained the right to stream tons of anime and even adapt some into live-action.
Netflix’s anime adaptations started very rocky and even spawned a meme surrounding how bad they were. Fans would collectively mourn whenever Netflix announced a new live-action anime adaptation, wondering how they would ruin their beloved franchise. However, as time passed, they seemed to have figured out what they were doing wrong, as the quality improved in movies and TV shows like the critically acclaimed One Piece live-action. These are Netflix’s best live-action anime adaptations, proving that they can produce quality updated versions of beloved IPs.
Directed by Fumihiko Sori
The final movie of a three-part series, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Final Alchemy, is based on the world-renowned anime and manga Fullmetal Alchemist. This movie has Edward and Alphonse Elric culminate their long journey by fighting the creator of modern alchemy and the man pulling the strings, Father. A self-created god, Father puts the world in peril by transmuting every human on the continent, setting the stakes higher than they ever have been.
The third and final movie didn’t quite save the trilogy. With the same issues as the previous entries, The Final Alchemy sputters out and dies without a spark. With so much content to cover, the movie skipped over some of the best material and rushed through any good moments, making them bland and confusing. With the original Fullmetal Alchemist having a different ending, it’s unfortunate that the live-action adaptation butchers it.
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Directed by Fumihiko Sori
Image via Netflix
The first movie of the series, Fullmetal Alchemist, covers the first four volumes of the manga. The events involve the Elric brothers looking for the philosopher’s stone to regain their lost limbs and body by investigating a rumor in a small city. The movie also adapts the infamous Shou Tucker arc and the incredibly popular Mustang vs. Lust fight.
While the movie featured some original charms, it favored action and fights over the rich story and interesting philosophical ideals that fans enjoyed. Even so, the action is quite good and occasionally makes up for the rushed pacing blasted through iconic moments in the series that ended up leaving no impact on the viewers. The original Fullmetal Alchemist has many great episodes, but the live-action adaptation misses the mark on all of them, making it underwhelming, if not necessarily disappointing.
Fullmetal Alchemist
Release Date December 1, 2017
Cast Ryosuke Yamada , Tsubasa Honda , Dean Fujioka , Ryûta Satô , Misako Renbutsu , Yô Ôizumi
Runtime 135 minutes
Writers Hiromu Arakawa , Fumihiko Sori , Takeshi Miyamoto
Directed by Fumihiko Sori
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar is the second movie of the trilogy and pits Ed and Al against Scar. After multiple reports of Scar murdering state alchemists, the Elric brothers investigate the problem, which brings up a dark past. The homunculus also continues to reveal itself, inching closer toward their ultimate goal.
Compared to the first, the pacing improves, but the movie still feels more like a spectacle than an exciting story of Scar and his past. The entertaining action and conflict, along with Scar’s intimidating presence, make The Revenge of Scar the best movie of the trilogy. Despite its failure, the film offers a more inspired and promising take on what a truly good Fullmetal Alchemist live-action series could be if done correctly.
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7 ‘Bleach’ (2018)
Directed by Shinsuke Sato
Image via Netflix
Based on the hit manga of the same name, the Bleach movie roughly adapts the first arc in which Ichigo gets his soul reaper powers from Rukia and can see ghosts. With this power, he must defeat the Hollows and send their tormented spirit to the afterlife so it doesn’t harm the living. Conflict arises when a specifically dangerous Hollow appears, and Rukia’s brother takes her away for breaking the fundamental rule.
Although the original series ended in 2012 without adapting the entire story, fans are finally getting new seasons of Bleach. Still, before that, this live-action remake was good enough to satiate fans’ hunger for more. Bleach isentertaining as a whole and features some of what fans loved about the original. It still wasn’t entirely satisfying, as the arc was somewhat bland, and it was missing the soul of the anime. With it being part of the big three alongside One Piece and Naruto, the live-action adaptation provided some fun, especially compared to lesser adaptations.
Bleach
Release Date July 20, 2018
Cast Sota Fukushi , Hana Sugisaki , Ryo Yoshizawa , Erina Mano
Runtime 108 minutes
6 ‘Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead’ (2023)
Directed by Yusuke Ishida
Image via Netflix
Based on the manga of the same name, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is an entertaining and unique story about a guy trying to cross everything off his bucket list before becoming a zombie. The manga drives home the point of having joy and freedom in an apocalypse versus the harsh conditions and lack of freedom in an office setting. The film holds the same premise and events as the anime but adapts less of it.
The bright and fun nature seen in the movie can bring fans along for a good ride. Despite starting great, Zom 100 has some issues that prevent it from being truly great, like the pacing and focusing on the wrong things. The whole office life vs. apocalyptic freedom message is missing, which is the heart of the story, leaving the focus on the fun adventures that get less interesting the more they go on. Still, Zom 100 does a good job as a condensation of the anime, providing an entertaining time for those looking for a nice and safe movie to enjoy.
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023)
Release Date August 3, 2023
Cast Eiji Akaso , Mai Shiraishi , Shuntarō Yanagi , Yui Ichikawa , Mayo Kawasaki , Akari Hayami , Miwako Kakei , Kazuki Kitamura
Runtime 129 minutes
5 ‘City Hunter’ (2024)
Directed by Yuichi Sato
Image via Netflix
City Hunter was a classic manga released in 1985 and boasted incredible thrills and action. The movie follows Ryo, a womanizing “sweeper.” He and his partner have an underground association that will take on any job that people request. The film follows him as he investigates his partner’s death with the sister of the deceased, which gets them into fast-paced fights and clues to expand the mystery further.
The moviestays true to the original, with crazy action, comedy and ridiculously random moments. Fans of the manga or anime will indeed have a great time with its over-the-top tone and fights with a charming depiction of Ryo. For audience members not well versed in the series or anime, it can come as quite a shock with the bizarre nature and humor feeling all over the place. Overall, this is a polarizing movie that fans will either love or hate, but either way, it adapted the source material very well.
City Hunter (2024)
Release Date April 25, 2024
Cast Ryohei Suzuki , Misato Morita , Masanobu Ando , Fumino Kimura , Asuka Hanamura , Isao Hashizume
Runtime 102 Minutes
Writers Tsukasa Hojo , Tatsuro Mishima
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4 ‘Golden Kamuy’ (2024)
Directed by Shigeaki Kubo
Image via Netflix
Based on the hit manga and severely underrated anime, Golden Kamuy takes place in 1904 Hokkaido, shortly after the Russo-Japanese War. The story follows veteran Sugimoto and Ainu Asirpa, who go on a quest to find escaped convicts who hold the secret location of a giant hoard of gold. With the army, former police captains and other convicts looking for this gold, a struggle for the gold ensues.
The latest live-action anime adaptation to release on Netflix, Golden Kamuy, hits most of the highs as the original and is one of the best adaptations yet. The sets and costumes are great, and the story progresses in a satisfying way that doesn’t rush too far ahead. The action and development are well delivered, and the characters are accurate to the source material. The only difference is the toned-down craziness of anime and manga; however, while some fans miss it, it suits the live-action setting not to make it goofy. An overall strong entry and great anime adaptation, fans hope for a second movie as the final season of Golden Kamuy is also on the horizon.
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3 ‘Rurouni Kenshin – The Beginning’ (2021)
Directed by Keishi Otomo
Based on the popular manga and anime Rurouni Kenshin, this movie tells the origin of the protagonist Kenshin. Rurouni Kenshin – The Beginning is, ironically, the final movie in the franchise that started back in 2012. Netflix didn’t make the original live-action trilogy, but they took over to finish the story after the success of the previous movies. The prequel shows the life of Kenshin when he was known as Hitokiri Battosai, a legendary and ruthless samurai and a completely different person from the kind and loving Kenshin.
It is always interesting to see the difference between a character from their past to their present, and this movie offers fans a wild ride filled with intense action and a Kenshin unlike they are used to. The filmadapts the manga very well, faithfully crafting the movie to appease fans while displaying a masterful story to bring in a new audience. Rurouni Kenshin also takes inspiration from what made old samurai movies so good, making it a great live-action adaptation.
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2 ‘Rurouni Kenshin – The Final’ (2021)
Directed by Keishi Otomo
Rurouni Kenshin—The Final is the series’ conclusion, where Kenshin must finally face off against Enishi. This film aired only a few months before The Beginning, comparing the characters’ lives and showing the contrast and growth. Enishi, the mob boss, uses his power to order multiple terrorist attacks, all with the purpose of tormenting Kenshin for what he did to him in the past.
The Rurouni Kenshin series is not only one of the best live-action anime adaptations Netflix has made but also one of the best overall. This movie is a fitting conclusion to Kenshin’s story and perfectly rounds out the pentalogy without a bad movie. It holds an impressive 100% critic rating and an 88% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes because of its respect for the manga and its high quality. Rurouni Kenshin—The Final is a must-watch on Netflix because of its flawless adaptation, intriguing storyline, and characters.
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1 ‘One Piece’ (2023)
Showrunners: Matt Owens, Steven Maeda and Joe Tracz
Image via Netflix
Based on the hit manga and anime One Piece, the live-action version uses the same name and adapts the first saga from Romance Dawn to Arlong Park. This series takes fans on the adventure of Luffy, a rubber man with hopes of becoming the Pirate King. Along his way, he finds trustworthy companions in Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji as they try to get to the grand line and face off against ruthless pirates and fearsome marines.
One Piece was considered Netflix’s first live-action success due to its high production value. The anime’s goofy elements stayed true but adapted for a wider audience, story changes, and the love and passion of the creators. The set designs and costumes transport fans into the world of One Piece, delivering a new experience while staying true to the source material. The first season was such a huge success that Netflix confirmed a second season, which is eagerly awaited by fans.
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